"Birth of Broadband" is the fifth in the series of "ITU
Internet Reports", originally launched in 1997. This edition has been
specially prepared for the ITU TELECOM World 2003
Exhibition and Forum, to
be held in Geneva from 12 to 18 October 2003. As one of the "hot
topics" of the telecommunication industry in 2003, broadband is
expected to be one of the highlights of this year’s show. This new
report examines the emergence of high-speed, dedicated Internet
connections that will greatly expand the world’s access to information.
Broadband will also facilitate the long-expected convergence of three
previously distinct technologies: computing, communications and
broadcasting.

The introductory chapter of this report, Broadband dreams,
explains what broadband can do for users, society and industry. Chapter
two, Technologies for broadband, explains the different broadband
technologies and how each can provide broadband access under different
economic and network conditions. Chapter three, Supplying broadband,
looks at how broadband has been successfully provided in certain economies
and how certain policies can help expand the network. Chapter four, Using
broadband, discusses the current and emerging applications that are
driving broadband take-up along with applications and content models that
show the most promise for the future. Chapter five, Regulatory and
policy aspects, examines regulatory and policy frameworks in
successful broadband markets. Chapter six, Promoting broadband,
looks at the broadband experiences of several countries characterized by
high penetration rates and extensive networks, including conclusions drawn
from ITU country case studies on broadband, and examines why and how
broadband should be actively promoted. Chapter seven, Broadband and the
information society, looks at broadband as a component of a society
built around ubiquitous access to information, including some of the
benefits and pitfalls of total connectivity. The Statistical annexcontains
data and charts covering 206 economies worldwide, with original data on
broadband and comparative information measured against a selection of
variables.